Whether you're applying for a VNO authorization or an ISP license, DoT checks your application against a consistent set of mandatory requirements. Missing any one of these is the most common reason an application gets sent back rather than approved on the first pass.
Entity and eligibility requirements
- A valid Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association reflecting the intended business activity
- Compliance with Indian ownership requirements applicable to your license category
- A net worth meeting the threshold for your specific category (this scales significantly between ISP Category C and Category A, and differs again for VNO)
Documentation requirements
- Audited financial statements for the last three years
- A board resolution specifically authorizing the license application -- a general corporate resolution isn't sufficient
- A net worth certificate from a practicing Chartered Accountant
- A technical feasibility report
- A network architecture diagram showing how you'll interconnect with your underlying operator (for VNO) or build your network (for ISP)
Financial requirements
Both VNO and ISP applications require the applicable entry fee and bank guarantees (performance and financial), scaled to your license category and geographic scope. These aren't optional or negotiable components -- the application isn't considered complete without them.
Ongoing requirements, after approval
Mandatory requirements don't end at approval. Licensed operators must file quarterly and annual performance reports, maintain lawful interception capability, comply with TRAI's quality-of-service norms, file tariff plans, and keep subscriber records in order. Missing these ongoing obligations can lead to penalties or license suspension -- they're as mandatory as the application requirements themselves.
The practical takeaway
Almost every delay we see in this process traces back to one of these requirements being incomplete or inconsistent on the first submission, not to anything unusual about the applicant's business. Getting the full list right before filing -- not filing quickly and fixing gaps after -- is what actually determines your timeline. See our VNO License or ISP License pages for the category-specific breakdown, or reach out for a document checklist tailored to your situation.
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